learning with aquaponics

School To Table™ (STT) is a public-private partnership between the Steelton-Highspire School District and Integrated Agriculture Systems (INTAG). The STT partnership combines the aquaponic technology from INTAG to create opportunities for students to learn 21st Century Skills and to gain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) knowledge through project-based learning. STT provides an opportunity to take advantage of an INTAG aquaponic system through its programming options, which include:

Toolkit for accessing funding through grants and corporations

Credit-bearing teacher training

Dual college/university enrollment for participating students

Paid apprenticeships for students

Business development planning

Marketing and distribution planning

Developing relationships with local chefs and restaurants

What sets STT apart in the field of Innovative Education and Work Development is the cross-sector partnership. Students in the STT program learn a full spectrum of related fields involving localized agriculture, which enables more young people to participate in regional economic development.

The systems and curriculum are designed to support Innovative Education tracks in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and include engineering solutions for water flow, chemistry, botany, accelerating grow cycles, harvesting techniques, food safety, and wholesale distribution of the products (fish, fruit, and vegetables). Also, available is programming content in small business, entrepreneurial education, nutrition, and e-commerce centering on food production.